Sunday, January 8, 2012

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Doubling Down Edition

Let's continue our celebration of the return of SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs, and just make the entire weekend part of the festivities. You know the drill-- five of my favorite themes from video games both classic and modern. Just click on the name of the game and song to be whisked away to the YouTube video. Let's do it!

The World Ends With You was quite unlike anything from Square Enix's output this past generation. It was innovative and aspired to something higher than SE's usual efforts. Players had action on both screens during battle as they followed the story of Neku, an originally unlikable character who later grows on you. Calling is one of many catchy vocal themes heard throughout the game. This particular song plays as you cruise though Japan's busy streets.

Mario Kart 64 was the Nintendo 64's first real multiplayer masterpiece. Four players could race or battle against one another on a variety of courses and maps such as Koopa Troopa Beach, Kalimari Desert, Choco Mountain, Freppe Snowland, Sherbet Land, Wario Stadium, Banshee Boardwalk, and of course, mainstays like Bowser Castle and Rainbow Road. The Staff Roll theme was on my ending theme list of favorites, and rightfully so. It is an outstanding piece that sends chills up my spine, especially when synced with the ending footage. Give it a watch, maybe you'll get the same reaction from it.

A song that appears in every Star Ocean "big" hidden dungeon, Mission to the Deep Space is but part of this arranged track from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. It's a jazzier version full of keyboard and brass with Sail Against the Wind being an interlude of sorts. It's without a doubt my favorite version of Mission to the Deep Space, and encompasses all of composer Motoi Sakuraba's inherent musical genius.

Perfect Dark Zero may have been a disappointment to some (not to me as it received a 9.0/10), but this launch title for the Xbox 360 proved that Rare still had it even after being bought out by Microsoft. Sure, they don't even anything now, but that's beyond the point. Rooftops Escape had Joanna Dark, inexplicably turned American, and her father running from DataDyne goons. It all culminates with a battle with an attack carrier that can tear a player up in an instant. This rockin' tune pumps adrenaline throughout the body as you pick off snipers, ride ziplines, and pass through sewers.

From what could be considered as a glorified mini-game collection, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for Nintendo Wii was one of the first titles announced for Nintendo's current flagship console. It has players steering an airship through a tight canyon, fending off a horde of Zus, exploring ancient ruins, riding Chocobos in races, and sneaking on board a train. The amount of varying activities makes for a mini-game collection that stands out from the rest. Althea's Waltz is a majestic-sounding piece full of sensational strings.

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That does it for my specially patented VGMs. They will return a week from tomorrow on a normal weekly schedule. What are your favorite themes from games? Give me a holler in the comments section. Until tomorrow, adieu!